Courtesy: The Independent On Line


National team wins first match at Med. Cup in Libya

The Malta national futsal team registered its first ever win in its very short history. They beat Palestine 4-1 in a second phase match in connection with the Mediterranean Cup which was held in Libya thus finishing 15th overall.

The Maltese team had earlier lost all their matches. Scorers for Malta were ever after beating Palestine 4-1 in a match from the second phase of the 1st Mediterranean Futsal Cup which is currently being held in Libya. Thanks to this win, Malta takes the 15th place in the tournament. Scorers for Malta were Chris Brincat, John Cutajar and Carlo Scicluna (2).

Malta played with the following formation: Matthew Mifsud, John Cutajar, Chris Brincat, Nicola Del Re, Robert Magro, Melvin Borg, Michael Ellul, David Smith, Carlo Scicluna, Bjorn Vassallo, Alan Galea, Xavier Saliba. Coach: Vic Hermans

In earlier matches, Malta had gone down 8-1 to Bosnia-Herzegovina, 4-1 to Tunisia and 2-1 to Algeria.




Courtesy: Di-ve


Malta's first win in futsal

by Coryse Borg

09 November 2010

Palestine looked to shake off their heartbreaking penalty defeat to Cyprus as they took on a Malta side fresh from a goal glut from Syria.

It was Palestine who looked the most likely to score as Alneirab Mahmoud had a shot on the left that was saved by Matthew Mifsud. Xavier Saliba was booked for bringing down Alneirab Mahmoud as the referee’s stamped their authority on the game. Hasan Huthut brought out a good save from Mifsud Matthew, and Cutajar John broke from a good spell of pressure from Palestine and brought out a great save from Hussein Albattrawi . It was Malta though who took the lead as Chriss Brincat released a thunderbolt from way out that found it’s way into the back of the net.

A good double save from Matthew Mifsud kept Malta in the game as they started to have a bit more possession. Anas Alhelou hit the post for Palestine and Alaa Abugheeth missed a glorious chance to equalize as he failed to make contact with a driven cross across the box. Anas Alhelou then fired a shot past Mifsud Matthew only to see it cannon back off the post to give Malta possession. Palestine were really piling on the pressure and Alneirab Mahmoud had a shot that Matthew Mifsud stopped, he gathered the second ball as it was rolling towards the goal.

John Cutajar had a shot and he should have scored - Mahmoud Alneirab was lying injured in the opponents box when he shot wide of the mark form 6 metres. Hasan Huthut was booked for Palestine for talking back to the referee asDavid Smith almost scored for Malta. After that Malta started to defend deep and invited Palestine to have several shots on goal.Zeyad Altalmas had a shot deflected just wide,Anas Alhelou fired just wide from the right across goal as players started to slip all over the place. This was great as it really opened the game back up and a Palestinian break forced Robert Magro to hold back his player to receive a yellow card.

Abugheeth Alaa continued the Palestinian attacks as he fired into the side netting andMohammed Hajaj hit the post.Xavier Saliba had a shot across goal for Malta on a rare attack and Robert Magro cleared a ball off the line from another Palestinian attack. Robert Magro hit the post and Xavier Saliba's follow-up was cleared as Malta came back into the game. It proved to be the right option as Cutajar John settled Malta’s nerves a goal that takes a deflection as he hits it but ends up in the back of the net. They didn’t celebrate for long though as Mahmoud Alneirab got a goal back to keep Palestine in the game. Hassan Huthut’s shot was tipped over bar by Matthew Mifsud as Palestine went all out to get something from the game.

With 5 mins still remaining both sides went for that next goal, it created end to end futsal with some fantastic defending from both sides. Carlo Scicluna conceded a free kick 8 metres out for a foul on Huthut Hasan, it was broken up and Malta’s counter attack was stopped by the onrushing Albattrawi Hussein. Huthut Hasan and usef Jalal both hit the side netting when they should have scored. Abugheeth Alaa forced Mifsud Matthew into 2 fantastic saves as Malta deployed the long ball over the top into space as they hung on.

Then with Palestine playing with a fly keeper Carlo Scicluna eased their nerves by scoring twices from his own box, looping the ball over everyone and into the back of the net. It was Malta’s first ever futsal win in 27 attempts and the coach and players were ecstatic.


Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com